24 September 2014
UGANDA : It’s Uganda versus Kenya
Team Uganda ladies undergoing practice at YMCA last week in preparation
for Zone V. They face Kenya today. Photo by Ismail Kezaala
By Ismail Dhakaba Kigongo
KAMPALA. Burundi’s late withdrawal from the
ongoing Fiba Africa Zone V Nations Basketball Championship left the
women’s competition with only three teams.
Two of Egypt, Kenya and hosts Uganda will qualify for the Afrobasket and next year’s All Africa Games meaning the margin of error was lessened, significantly.
Ethiopia, Rwanda, Tanzania, Eritrea and Djibouti had already pulled out days before tip-off on Sunday and organisers had to opt for a round-robin format.
The three teams must play each other twice. Sunday’s 64-61 to Egypt left Gazelles in a heap of trouble as the margin of error disappeared. Kenya then beat the North Africans 63-57. Coach Timothy Odeke knows his team must beat the Kenyans today at the Lugogo MTN Arena to stand a chance of finishing in the top two.
“We still have to play Egypt again and if we beat them by four points, we finish ahead of them,” Odeke told Daily Monitor. That second game is on Sunday. It’s relevance largely depends on today. Odeke will have reigning MVP Peace Proscovia return to the side after a successful world cup qualification campaign with the netball team in Botswana.
“Of course she adds a lot as a rebounder and scorer but thereafter it’s about the team,” Odeke explained.
Besides Sharon Karungi, who scored a game-high 23 points, the other inside players struggled offensively. Small forward Claire Lamunnu stood tall with 17 points.
With UCU Lady Canons’ pair of Purity Odhiambo and Vilmar Achieng in the side, Kenya are more than just a familiar opponent.
Georgina Ateino and Hilda Hindasi were part of the USIU side that won the Fiba Africa Zone V Club Championship last month.
Two of Egypt, Kenya and hosts Uganda will qualify for the Afrobasket and next year’s All Africa Games meaning the margin of error was lessened, significantly.
Ethiopia, Rwanda, Tanzania, Eritrea and Djibouti had already pulled out days before tip-off on Sunday and organisers had to opt for a round-robin format.
The three teams must play each other twice. Sunday’s 64-61 to Egypt left Gazelles in a heap of trouble as the margin of error disappeared. Kenya then beat the North Africans 63-57. Coach Timothy Odeke knows his team must beat the Kenyans today at the Lugogo MTN Arena to stand a chance of finishing in the top two.
“We still have to play Egypt again and if we beat them by four points, we finish ahead of them,” Odeke told Daily Monitor. That second game is on Sunday. It’s relevance largely depends on today. Odeke will have reigning MVP Peace Proscovia return to the side after a successful world cup qualification campaign with the netball team in Botswana.
“Of course she adds a lot as a rebounder and scorer but thereafter it’s about the team,” Odeke explained.
Besides Sharon Karungi, who scored a game-high 23 points, the other inside players struggled offensively. Small forward Claire Lamunnu stood tall with 17 points.
With UCU Lady Canons’ pair of Purity Odhiambo and Vilmar Achieng in the side, Kenya are more than just a familiar opponent.
Georgina Ateino and Hilda Hindasi were part of the USIU side that won the Fiba Africa Zone V Club Championship last month.
ikigongo@ug.nationmedia.com
# posted by afrbk : 20:01
